A threshing apparatus includes: a threshing unit 5; a first sorting unit 11 that is arranged below the threshing unit 5, is driven to reciprocate along the front-rear direction, and threshes processed material from the threshing unit 5; and a second sorting unit 12 that is arranged below the first sorting unit 11, is driven to reciprocate along the front-rear direction, and threshes processed material from the first sorting unit 11. The front end portion of the second sorting unit 12 is provided with a second grain pan 22 that conveys processed material rearward, and the front end portion of the second grain pan 22 is also provided with a wall portion 48 that is higher than the second grain pan 22 in order to be able to prevent processed material from falling forward from the second grain pan 22.

A threshing apparatus includes: a threshing unit 5; a first sorting unit 11 that is arranged below the threshing unit 5, is driven to reciprocate along the front-rear direction, and threshes processed material from the threshing unit 5; and a second sorting unit 12 that is arranged below the first sorting unit 11, is driven to reciprocate along the front-rear direction, and threshes processed material from the first sorting unit 11. The front end portion of the second sorting unit 12 is provided with a second grain pan 22 that conveys processed material rearward, and the front end portion of the second grain pan 22 is also provided with a wall portion 48 that is higher than the second grain pan 22 in order to be able to prevent processed material from falling forward from the second grain pan 22.

A combine harvester comprises a threshing unit arranged to receive and thresh a crop stream. Separating apparatus are located downstream and rearward of the threshing unit and are arranged to receive the threshed crop stream and convey such a rearward direction. The front of a return pan, disposed below the separating apparatus, overlaps the rear of a stratification pan, disposed below the threshing unit. The stratification pan is driven in an oscillating manner to convey a primary grain/chaff stream rearwardly to a rear edge from where the primary grain/chaff stream falls under gravity into a cleaning unit. The return pan is driven in an oscillating manner to convey a secondary grain/chaff stream forwardly to a front edge from where the secondary grain/chaff stream falls under gravity to combine with the primary grain/chaff stream on the stratification pan. The cleaning unit comprises a fan for generating a cleaning airstream which is directed through the falling grain/chaff stream to encourage the lighter material away from the grain. A plurality of crop flow disrupting elements in the form of fins or tines are secured to the underside of the return pan above the stratification pan to disrupt the grain/chaff stream and enhance stratification thereof.

A spreader arrangement for an agricultural harvester includes a windrow chute having a first position for building a windrow in which the chute angles downwardly from a proximal edge to a distal edge of the chute, and a second position for cleanout of the chute in which the chute angles downwardly from the distal edge to the proximal edge of the chute. Adjustment from the first position to the second position and back to the first position can occur automatically when the combine is operating but not currently harvesting, such as during the time period between when a harvesting swath is completed and the next harvesting swath is commenced, so that accumulated crop residue material can be dislodged from the windrow chute without disrupting harvesting or the windrow building process.

In a combine harvester the cleaning arrangement is placed above the threshing and separation system so that the sieves of the cleaning arrangement can be wider than the distance between the front wheels or tracks of the harvester. A supply such as one or more auger beds are provided underneath the threshing and separation system, for gathering the grain/residue mixture in a single location. From that location, an elevator transports the grain/residue mixture up towards the cleaning arrangement, where it is distributed over the width of the cleaning arrangement.

An assembly for rotating a chain or toothed belt includes a shaft and a sprocket rotatably mounted on the shaft. The sprocket includes a plurality of teeth configured to engage the chain or toothed belt. The assembly further includes a shield assembly covering at least a portion of the sprocket. The shield assembly has an interior groove formed therein defining an enclosed interior space. Each of the teeth of the sprocket rotate through the enclosed interior space during a full rotation of the sprocket.

A threshing and separating system for an agricultural harvester includes a concave having a plurality of perforations; a rotor having an outer surface and at least partially enclosed by the concave; and a plurality of rasp bars connected to the outer surface of the rotor, each rasp bar having a working surface defining a working angle relative to a tangent of the outer surface. At least one of the rasp bars is an adjustable rasp bar with an adjustable working surface pivotably coupled to the rotor. The system further includes an actuator coupled to the adjustable rasp bar and configured to selectively pivot the adjustable working surface to adjust the working angle of the adjustable rasp bar.

A threshing and separating system for an agricultural harvester includes a concave having a plurality of perforations; a rotor having an outer surface and at least partially enclosed by the concave; and a plurality of rasp bars connected to the outer surface of the rotor, each rasp bar having a working surface defining a working angle relative to a tangent of the outer surface. At least one of the rasp bars is an adjustable rasp bar with an adjustable working surface pivotably coupled to the rotor. The system further includes an actuator coupled to the adjustable rasp bar and configured to selectively pivot the adjustable working surface to adjust the working angle of the adjustable rasp bar.

A control system and method for controlling the positioning of an adjustable deflector plate employed in a harvesting combine to adjust a side-to-side flow of crop residue to spreaders associated with the combine and the distribution thereby. The deflector plate is operably extendable into the flow of crop residue to redirect crop residue impinging the deflector plate. The deflector plate is adjusted based upon a comparison between the open/closed states of valves associated with the control system.

A controller for controlling a harvesting performance of an agricultural harvester. The controller receives automation settings, selected by an operator via a human-machine interface. The controller also receives data from on-board harvester sensors. The controller defines a target value for quality parameters based on the automation settings, and determines a current value of each of the quality parameters in dependence on the crop sensor data. The controller determines an actuator setting for actuators of the agricultural harvester when the current value of one or more of the plurality of quality parameters differs by greater than an acceptable amount from the associated target value. The actuator setting is determined in dependence on the automation settings and the target value. The controller controls the actuators to achieve the determined actuator setting.